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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Viburnum edule is a deciduous Shrub growing to 2.5 m (8ft 2in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower in June, and the seeds ripen in October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is not self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
V. opulus edule. V. opulus pauciflorum. V. pauciflorum.
Plant Habitats
Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Flowers Fruit
Edible Uses:
Fruit - raw or cooked[11, 62, 101, 257]. The fully ripe fruits are mildly acid with a pleasant taste[183]. The ovoid fruit is about 8mm long and contains a single large seed[200]. The fruit can also be dried for winter use[183]. It is highly valued for jam[43]. It is best before a frost and with the skin removed[85, 172]. Another report says that the native Americans would often not harvest the fruit until it had been frosted[257]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Flowers - used in fritters[172].
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
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Antispasmodic Astringent Dysentery Odontalgic Salve
The bark is antispasmodic and astringent[172, 257]. An infusion of the crushed inner bark has been used in the treatment of dysentery and has also been used as a purgative[257]. The bark has been chewed and the juice swallowed in the treatment of whooping cough and 'cold on the lungs'[257]. A decoction of the stems has been used in the treatment of coughs[257]. An infusion of the leaves and stems has been used as a gargle in the treatment of sore throats[257]. The twig tips have been chewed and the juice swallowed in the treatment of sore throats[257]. A poultice of the chewed, unopened flower buds has been applied to lip sores[257]. A decoction of the roots has been used to treat sickness associated with teething[257].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Basketry
The stems have been used to reinforce birch bark basket rims[257].
Special Uses
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils but is ill-adapted for poor soils and for dry situations[1]. It prefers a deep rich loamy soil in sun or semi-shade[11, 200]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers a slightly acidic soil[172]. Best if given shade from the early morning sun in spring[200]. Plants are possibly self-incompatible[11] and may need to grow close to a genetically distinct plant in the same species in order to produce fruit and fertile seed[11, 200]. Closely allied to V. opulus, but this species has no sterile flowers in the inflorescence and is a superior fruiting form[11].
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
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Plant Propagation
Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Germination can be slow, sometimes taking more than 18 months. If the seed is harvested 'green' (when it has fully developed but before it has fully ripened) and sown immediately in a cold frame, it should germinate in the spring[80]. Stored seed will require 2 months warm then 3 months cold stratification and can still take 18 months to germinate[113]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a cold frame or greenhouse. Plant out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer of the following year. Cuttings of soft-wood, early summer in a frame[200]. Pot up into individual pots once they start to root and plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8 cm long with a heel if possible, July/August in a frame[78, 113]. Plant them into individual pots as soon as they start to root. These cuttings can be difficult to overwinter, it is best to keep them in a greenhouse or cold frame until the following spring before planting them out[113]. Cuttings of mature wood, winter in a frame. They should root in early spring - pot them up when large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer if sufficient new growth is made, otherwise keep them in a cold frame for the next winter and then plant them out in the spring. Layering of current seasons growth in July/August. Takes 15 months[78].
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Moosewood, Squashberry, Low bush cranberry,
Native Range
NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Northwest Territories, Yukon, Québec, Nova Scotia, Ontario, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba, British Columbia), United States (Alaska, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota (west), Colorado, Idaho (north), Montana, Oregon (north), Washington, Wyoming)
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :
| Related Plants
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| Latin Name | Common Name | Habit | Height | Hardiness | Growth | Soil | Shade | Moisture | Edible | Medicinal | Other |
| Viburnum betulifolium | | Shrub | 3.0 |
-
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 0 | |
| Viburnum cassinoides | Withe Rod, Appalachian Tea, Witherod Viburnum, Witherod, Wild Raisin Viburnum | Shrub | 2.5 |
2-8
| M | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Viburnum cordifolium | Viburnum | Tree | 6.0 |
8-9
| M | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Viburnum corylifolium | | Shrub | 3.0 |
5-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 0 | |
| Viburnum cotinifolium | | Shrub | 3.5 |
5-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Viburnum cylindricum | | Shrub | 5.0 |
5-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Viburnum dentatum | Arrow Wood, Southern arrowwood, Southern Arrowwood Viburnum | Shrub | 4.5 |
2-8
| F | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 1 | |
| Viburnum dilatatum | Linden Viburnum, Linden arrowwood | Shrub | 3.0 |
5-8
| M | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| Viburnum erosum | Viburnum | Shrub | 1.8 |
6-9
| M | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 0 | |
| Viburnum erubescens | | Shrub | 5.0 |
5-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Viburnum erubescens gracilipes | | Shrub | 5.0 |
5-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Viburnum farreri | Culver's root, Fragrant Viburnum | Shrub | 3.0 |
5-8
| M | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Viburnum foetens | | Shrub | 3.0 |
5-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Viburnum fordiae | | Shrub | 0.0 |
-
| | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 0 | |
| Viburnum furcatum | | Shrub | 3.5 |
5-9
| | LMH | S | M | 1 | 0 | |
| Viburnum grandiflorum | Cranberry bush, | Shrub | 2.0 |
6-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Viburnum japonicum | | Shrub | 1.8 |
6-9
| S | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 0 | |
| Viburnum lantana | Wayfaring Tree, Wayfaring Tree Viburnum | Shrub | 5.0 |
4-7
| M | LMH | SN | DM | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Viburnum lantanoides | Hobbleberry | Shrub | 3.0 |
3-7
| | LMH | FSN | M | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Viburnum lentago | Sheepberry, Nannyberry, Nannyberry Viburnum | Tree | 9.0 |
2-8
| M | LMH | SN | M | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| Viburnum mongolicum | | Shrub | 2.0 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 0 | |
| Viburnum mullaha | | Shrub | 3.0 |
8-11
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Viburnum nudum | Smooth Withe Rod, Possumhaw, Withe-rod, Swamp Haw, Smooth Witherod, Possum Haw Viburnum, Possum Haw | Shrub | 4.5 |
5-9
| M | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 1 | |
| Viburnum odoratissimum | Sweet Viburnum | Shrub | 5.0 |
8-10
| S | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 0 | |
| Viburnum opulus | Guelder Rose, Cramp Bark, European cranberrybush, American cranberrybush, Crampbark, European Highb | Shrub | 5.0 |
3-8
| M | LMH | SN | MWe | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Viburnum phlebotrichum | | Shrub | 2.5 |
5-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 0 | |
| Viburnum plicatum | Japanese Snowball, Japanese Snowball Viburnum, Doublefile Viburnum | Shrub | 4.0 |
5-8
| M | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 0 | |
| Viburnum prunifolium | Stagberry, Black Haw, Hybrid blackhaw, Smooth Blackhaw, Blackhaw Viburnum | Tree | 7.5 |
3-9
| S | LMH | SN | DM | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Viburnum rufidulum | Southern Black Haw, Rusty blackhaw | Shrub | 12.0 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 1 | 1 |
|
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Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
Expert comment
Author
(Michx.)Raf.
Botanical References
1143200
Links / References
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